City warned stalling on tip closures will cost ratepayers more money in long term

A $350m Gold Coast waste treatment plant upgrade to service the booming hinterland population could be delayed, costing ratepayers millions of dollars. Read why

A $350m Gold Coast waste treatment plant upgrade to service the booming hinterland population could be delayed, with a councillor warning it would cost ratepayers millions of dollars.

The City has begun upgrading the Merrimac sewerage treatment plant but the next stages require the nearby land used for a green waste pad.

Councillors debating the possible introduction of tip fees last month rejected a recommendation by officers to close the pad to cut costs. It has operated at the site for seven years.

Hinterland councillor Glenn Tozer has asked for an urgent update because it will impact on sewerage services from Carrara in the north through to Robina and Reedy Creek in the south.

The sewer upgrade is a City big ticket infrastructure item needed for new 324ha Skyridge estate which will be home to 10,000 new residents – all in Cr Tozer’s division.

The Merrimac wastewater treatment plant is being upgraded by the Gold Coast City Council.

While keeping the green pad open will be welcomed by tip users, council sources suggest delaying the treatment plant upgrade could leave ratepayers with a bill of up to $35 million.

“The capacity improvement as part of the project may serve that area of the city for a number of decades and has been planned for a number of years now,” Mr Tozer said.

“To delay the project for the sake of a green waste pad may potentially come at a great cost – possibly many millions of dollars.”

These costs would include “significant contractual issues” along with problems relating to replacing existing plant components which have been operating at capacity for some time.

“I have asked for a report as soon as possible so councillors can count the cost as transparently as possible and keep the community informed,” Mr Tozer said.

“To relocate the Merrimac green pad elsewhere nearby will require state planning approval and cost around $4 million.

“Councillors may determine that is worth the cost, but to delay the Waste Treatment Plant puts at risk the capacity of a critically important council service in removing and treating the wastewater residents use and dispose every day in their homes.”

Aerials of the Gold Coast. Sewerage Treatment Plant at Merrimac

Robina-based councillor Dan Doran had led the debate to maintain green pad services, supporting neighbouring colleague Bob La Castra.

In a waste and water committee meeting, Mr Doran urged for more consultation with the community before tough reforms were introduced.

“I don’t think we have appropriately taken the community on the journey,” he said.

Councillor La Castra was opposed to the green pad’s closure because he argued it was operating at the same efficiencies as other small tips and receiving 165,200 visits each year.

He said residents would be forced to take a one-hour round trip to the use the closest waste facility at Reedy Creek.

“So there is absolutely no valid or logical argument to close it down. You are going to force people into doing a one hour round tip and they are not going to do it,” he said.

Councillor Bob La Castra at the Evandale Chambers. Picture: John Gass.

“We’ve got the money. The other thing this council has promised ratepayers (is no) cuts to frontline services. Now I think waste is a front line service.”

A majority of councillors at a recent full council meeting agreed not to introduce rubbish tip gate fees this year, with council divided about handling skyrocketing waste costs.

All Waste Recycling Centres (WRCs) were also to remain open after a majority of councillors opposed recommendations by officers to introduce cost efficiencies.

A majority then supported a motion by Mr Tozer and backed by Mayor Tate that all future waste revenue options be considered in special budget debate

Mr Tate, using his powers with a mayoral minute, earlier intervened and gained councillor support to keep all the City’s tips operational until at least June 2026.

Councillor Dan Doran (main picture) with Councillor Glenn Tozer in front of him. Picture: John Gass.

The Bulletin asked the City what will happen to the Merrimac plant expansion now, how long it will be delayed and what consequences would be for ratepayers in terms of services.

A City spokesperson said: “The decision to retain the green waste pad will impact the Merrimac Sewage Treatment Plant stage six upgrade. A report outlining these impacts will be considered by a Water, Waste and Energy Committee.”

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Originally published as City warned stalling on tip closures will cost ratepayers more money in long term